Frequently Asked Questions:
Which online form(s) should I use?
Never applied to this Foundation before/new applicant? Use the Application Form.
Applied before and request declined? Use the Application Form.
Received a single-year grant last year and are now eligible to apply again? Use the Application Form - when you indicate that you are a returning applicant the required Grant Report questions will appear within the Application Form.
Received a single-year grant last year but will not re-apply? Use the Final Report Form.
Received a multi-year grant last year? Use the Interim Grant Report Form. (ex. Jan 2016 received a 3-year grant: use the Interim Report Form for the reports due Jan 2017 and Jan 2018)
Received a multi-year grant which has been fully utilized and are now eligible to apply again? Use the Application Form - when you indicate that you are a returning applicant the required Grant Report questions will appear within the Application Form. (ex. Jan 2016 received a 3-year grant: use the Interim Report Form for the reports due Jan 2017 and Jan 2018, Jan 2019 use the Application Form which will include a final grant report for that multi-year grant)
How often may we apply for funding?
Organizations are eligible to submit one (1) application per calendar year. In the event that your organization is the recipient of a multi-year grant, your organization is eligible to submit a renewal request one (1) year after the last grant check is issued.
How often does the Board review applications?
The Boards meet 10 times a year and applications are reviewed in the order they are received on a rolling basis with no deadlines. The Board will review up to thirty-five (35) applications per meeting.
How far in advance of a particular meeting date should we submit our application?
Meeting Packages are sent to the Board at least 2 weeks prior to the scheduled meeting date. If there is no back-log of applications, typically one-month prior to the scheduled meeting date is sufficient to have that application reviewed at the following meeting. If there is a back-log of applications, your application will be reviewed in the order received but there may be a waiting period prior to review at the next available meeting.
Should we send a letter of inquiry to see if our application would be a good fit?
No, the Board does not accept or review letters of inquiry. The first step in applying for a grant is to complete and submit the Foundation’s online grant application.
Can we meet with the Board to discuss potential applications?
No, the Board will not meet with potential grantees or discuss potential applications with organizations prior to submission of their application form.
Can we apply for a grant to cover indirect costs?
Yes, but applications that include requests for indirect funds must specifically outline the indirect amounts requested.
What happens if our application is approved?
If a grant is approved, your organization will receive an agreement letter by email which must be signed and returned prior to the issuance of grant funds.
What if the Board wants to fund our organization but not at the level requested or for a different purpose?
If your application requests a particular grant amount and the Board would like to fund it at a different level, the Board will approve a grant for the amount they agree upon and will send an agreement letter to your organization. Occasionally the Board will also amend the purpose for which the grant is restricted for. All terms of the approved grant will be outlined in the Grant Agreement Letter.
What happens if our application is declined?
If your application is declined, your organization will receive a declination letter by email. Your organization may re-apply after two (2) calendar years. Please describe any changes in full on your next application. Because the Foundation is small and un-staffed, the Board has a policy of not commenting on declined applications.
What happens if our application is deferred?
Most of the time applications are either approved or declined and are notified of the Board's decision in writing approximately one week after the Board meeting date at which the application was reviewed. Occasionally, applications are deferred to a later meeting, in this case your organization's application will be re-reviewed at the next meeting. If the Board would like more information, you will be contacted by phone or email and will be notified in writing once the Board has reached a decision. If you believe your application may have been deferred you may contact Ashley Garan for more information.
If we apply to the Henry E. Niles Foundation may we also apply to the Laura J. Niles Foundation?
No, organizations may apply to only one (1) of the two (2) Niles Foundations.
Never applied to this Foundation before/new applicant? Use the Application Form.
Applied before and request declined? Use the Application Form.
Received a single-year grant last year and are now eligible to apply again? Use the Application Form - when you indicate that you are a returning applicant the required Grant Report questions will appear within the Application Form.
Received a single-year grant last year but will not re-apply? Use the Final Report Form.
Received a multi-year grant last year? Use the Interim Grant Report Form. (ex. Jan 2016 received a 3-year grant: use the Interim Report Form for the reports due Jan 2017 and Jan 2018)
Received a multi-year grant which has been fully utilized and are now eligible to apply again? Use the Application Form - when you indicate that you are a returning applicant the required Grant Report questions will appear within the Application Form. (ex. Jan 2016 received a 3-year grant: use the Interim Report Form for the reports due Jan 2017 and Jan 2018, Jan 2019 use the Application Form which will include a final grant report for that multi-year grant)
How often may we apply for funding?
Organizations are eligible to submit one (1) application per calendar year. In the event that your organization is the recipient of a multi-year grant, your organization is eligible to submit a renewal request one (1) year after the last grant check is issued.
How often does the Board review applications?
The Boards meet 10 times a year and applications are reviewed in the order they are received on a rolling basis with no deadlines. The Board will review up to thirty-five (35) applications per meeting.
How far in advance of a particular meeting date should we submit our application?
Meeting Packages are sent to the Board at least 2 weeks prior to the scheduled meeting date. If there is no back-log of applications, typically one-month prior to the scheduled meeting date is sufficient to have that application reviewed at the following meeting. If there is a back-log of applications, your application will be reviewed in the order received but there may be a waiting period prior to review at the next available meeting.
Should we send a letter of inquiry to see if our application would be a good fit?
No, the Board does not accept or review letters of inquiry. The first step in applying for a grant is to complete and submit the Foundation’s online grant application.
Can we meet with the Board to discuss potential applications?
No, the Board will not meet with potential grantees or discuss potential applications with organizations prior to submission of their application form.
Can we apply for a grant to cover indirect costs?
Yes, but applications that include requests for indirect funds must specifically outline the indirect amounts requested.
What happens if our application is approved?
If a grant is approved, your organization will receive an agreement letter by email which must be signed and returned prior to the issuance of grant funds.
What if the Board wants to fund our organization but not at the level requested or for a different purpose?
If your application requests a particular grant amount and the Board would like to fund it at a different level, the Board will approve a grant for the amount they agree upon and will send an agreement letter to your organization. Occasionally the Board will also amend the purpose for which the grant is restricted for. All terms of the approved grant will be outlined in the Grant Agreement Letter.
What happens if our application is declined?
If your application is declined, your organization will receive a declination letter by email. Your organization may re-apply after two (2) calendar years. Please describe any changes in full on your next application. Because the Foundation is small and un-staffed, the Board has a policy of not commenting on declined applications.
What happens if our application is deferred?
Most of the time applications are either approved or declined and are notified of the Board's decision in writing approximately one week after the Board meeting date at which the application was reviewed. Occasionally, applications are deferred to a later meeting, in this case your organization's application will be re-reviewed at the next meeting. If the Board would like more information, you will be contacted by phone or email and will be notified in writing once the Board has reached a decision. If you believe your application may have been deferred you may contact Ashley Garan for more information.
If we apply to the Henry E. Niles Foundation may we also apply to the Laura J. Niles Foundation?
No, organizations may apply to only one (1) of the two (2) Niles Foundations.